Former Texas AG Jim Mattox dies at 65

Mattox, self-styled 'people's lawyer,' dies at 65

Jim Mattox served in Congress before winning two terms as Texas attorney general in the 1980s.

AUSTIN — Jim Mattox, the self-styled "people's lawyer" who took on major corporations during eight years as Texas attorney general, has died.

Mattox, 65, died in his sleep Wednesday night or early Thursday morning at his home in Dripping Springs, southwest of Austin, said Democratic consultant Kelly Fero.

A former member of both the Texas and U.S. House of Representatives, Mattox was known as a fierce campaigner. When an opponent called him a "junkyard dog," he said he would act like one to protect children, the elderly and other powerless Texans.

After serving two terms as attorney general, starting in 1983, Mattox ran for governor but was defeated by Ann Richards in a bitter Democratic primary battle.

As attorney general, he built the office into a modern law firm and diversified it with women and minority lawyers. His legal staff handled more than 2 million cases and won judgments totaling more than $2.5 billion for the state.

He closed nursing homes, took on oil companies that had shortchanged Texas on its royalties, sued car dealers for odometer rollbacks, fought to increase regulatory agencies' abilities to deal with polluters, and challenged airlines, Quaker Oats and car manufacturers on the accuracy of their advertising.

"He was the first attorney general we ever had who was not afraid of Big Oil or Big Insurance or the nursing homes. He was the first who ever gave the people a chance against the large corporations," said Gary Horton, a retired union official and longtime Mattox friend.

Elna Christopher, a former Mattox press aide, said many in the office were worried when Mattox agreed to take over state child support collections from the human services agency.

"He made a real difference, and it has been there ever since," Christopher said.

'Leadership, passion'

Gov. Rick Perry directed that flags be flown at half-staff in memory of Mattox through today and again on the day of interment in the State Cemetery.

"His leadership, passion for and service to the state of Texas have left a lasting legacy," Perry said in a written statement.

Part of that legacy includes controversy.

In 1985, he beat commercial bribery charges brought by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who accused the then-attorney general of threatening Fulbright & Jaworski's municipal bond business unless one of their lawyers stopped trying to question his sister about a bank loan.

The loan was an issue in a lawsuit involving Mobil Oil Co. and Clinton Manges, a South Texas oil man and rancher who financially supported Mattox.

In 1990, Mattox roiled the political waters when he accused Richards of cocaine use without offering any evidence. The two mended fences after the race, Mattox later said.

His mother went to work as a waitress after she separated from his father, who was a union sheet metal worker.

The oldest of the three children, he helped support his siblings when their mother died in 1970.

A strong sense of his own mortality fueled his drive to serve, he said in a 1998 interview.

"My momma died at the age of 52. I'm 55 years old," he said. "I don't know how long I'm going to be here."

Mattox worked as a prosecutor in Dallas County and began his political career in 1973 as a state representative from East Dallas.

Although he never drank, he spent time with those who did at the famous political watering hole Scholz Garten. At a picnic table, he sketched out ethics reform and open government legislation that later passed, Fero said.

Mattox was elected to represent the 5th Congressional District in 1976. He served three terms before running for attorney general.

Lost bids for office

After losing his bid for governor, Mattox ran unsuccessfully in the 1994 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

He tried for a comeback as attorney general in 1998 but lost to Republican John Cornyn.

After that loss, he "really committed himself to raising his kids," Fero said.

But he never lost the desire to help others, Fero said, and went to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ike struck in September to help with relief efforts.

He was assisting a stranded motorist when a car struck him, causing minor injuries.

"If you had a problem, Jim Mattox was going to be there for you," Fero said.

Survivors include his wife, Marta; and children, Jim (known as Jimmer) and Janet (known as Sissi). Other survivors include his sister, Janice, and brother, Jerry, both of Dallas.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday in Austin at First Baptist Church. He will be buried in the State Cemetery.